I stopped reading this series somewhere in book 6 or so when I realized I could open any of the previous books to any random point and I probably wouldn't know what was going on or who half the characters were.

It's the moment fantasy fans have been waiting for (really!): After more than 20 years, the death of the authorand 13 doorstopper volumes, the last book in the best-selling Wheel of Time series comes out Tuesday. Martin fans seen looking around nervously

I was going to start the series when I finished ASOIAF until I heard the original author died and another is picking up the pieces.

I don't feel like I'd be reading true canon if I picked the series up. GRRM says all the time he knows what happens in the end, but not how it happens. I can't imagine we'd be getting the same product Jordan would deliver.

I could be wrong though. If I were reading it since the 90s then I'd get it just for some amount of closure. But I don't think I'll pick it up unless the reviews are really, really good.

LockeOak:I stopped reading this series somewhere in book 6 or so when I realized I could open any of the previous books to any random point and I probably wouldn't know what was going on or who half the characters were.

At a certain point you have to accept that you're never going to know who all of the characters are. There are probably around 100 who matter, and 1900 who are interchangeable with other characters of their type (Maiden/Aes Sedai/Two Rivers person/etc.) and therefore don't need to be remembered.

I'm pretty excited. I think Sanderson's been better than Jordan was for his last few books. Book 4's still the best, but 12 and 13 were much better than 7-11. I am a little worried though. After so many years waiting, I dunno that any ending to the series can be satisfying.

LockeOak:Oh, and the male characters were written as though they're half-retarded socially awkward 16 year olds and the female characters were written as though it was Mean Girls in a magical fantasy realm.

Seeing as most of the starting characters WERE around 18 or so at the start of the first book, that makes sense.

redmond24:I was going to start the series when I finished ASOIAF until I heard the original author died and another is picking up the pieces.

I don't feel like I'd be reading true canon if I picked the series up. GRRM says all the time he knows what happens in the end, but not how it happens. I can't imagine we'd be getting the same product Jordan would deliver.

I could be wrong though. If I were reading it since the 90s then I'd get it just for some amount of closure. But I don't think I'll pick it up unless the reviews are really, really good.

Sanderson worked with Jordan's wife from the notes Jordan left as he knew he probably wouldn't finish the series. And Brandon Sanderson has done an excellent job so far, looking forward to my copy tomorrow.

Boojum2k:redmond24: I was going to start the series when I finished ASOIAF until I heard the original author died and another is picking up the pieces.

I don't feel like I'd be reading true canon if I picked the series up. GRRM says all the time he knows what happens in the end, but not how it happens. I can't imagine we'd be getting the same product Jordan would deliver.

I could be wrong though. If I were reading it since the 90s then I'd get it just for some amount of closure. But I don't think I'll pick it up unless the reviews are really, really good.

Sanderson worked with Jordan's wife from the notes Jordan left as he knew he probably wouldn't finish the series. And Brandon Sanderson has done an excellent job so far, looking forward to my copy tomorrow.

Jordan also supposedly left around 1000 finished pages between the last three books, including the final scenes. I'm sure they've been edited, but I'm fairly confident that these books represent Jordan's plans. (Although perhaps less grandiose versions of them, since Jordan probably would have gone on another five books if he'd lived.)

Na, she had her hair chopped off in one of the last two books, so now she just wants to tug on the braid all the time.

redmond24:I was going to start the series when I finished ASOIAF until I heard the original author died and another is picking up the pieces.I don't feel like I'd be reading true canon if I picked the series up. GRRM says all the time he knows what happens in the end, but not how it happens. I can't imagine we'd be getting the same product Jordan would deliver.I could be wrong though. If I were reading it since the 90s then I'd get it just for some amount of closure. But I don't think I'll pick it up unless the reviews are really, really good.

Robert Jordan knew his time was nearly up and prepared for it by leaving copious notes. Plus the new author is very good in his own right; the last two books that were penned by Brandon Sanderson have been an improvement over the last few RJ penned books. A big improvement.

I should have my copy tomorrow when I get home. Finally get this series completed and move on.

redmond24:I was going to start the series when I finished ASOIAF until I heard the original author died and another is picking up the pieces.

I don't feel like I'd be reading true canon if I picked the series up. GRRM says all the time he knows what happens in the end, but not how it happens. I can't imagine we'd be getting the same product Jordan would deliver.

I could be wrong though. If I were reading it since the 90s then I'd get it just for some amount of closure. But I don't think I'll pick it up unless the reviews are really, really good.

NobleHam:LockeOak: I stopped reading this series somewhere in book 6 or so when I realized I could open any of the previous books to any random point and I probably wouldn't know what was going on or who half the characters were.

At a certain point you have to accept that you're never going to know who all of the characters are. There are probably around 100 who matter, and 1900 who are interchangeable with other characters of their type (Maiden/Aes Sedai/Two Rivers person/etc.) and therefore don't need to be remembered.

I'm pretty excited. I think Sanderson's been better than Jordan was for his last few books. Book 4's still the best, but 12 and 13 were much better than 7-11. I am a little worried though. After so many years waiting, I dunno that any ending to the series can be satisfying.

I agree, Sanderson has done very well with 12 and 13.

I started reading them at age fourteen on the recommendation of a friend, when there were only 2. He did well, releasing one per year.. Then it stretched to two years, and then three, and my heart knew terror.. RJ would be hit by a bus or something, and I would forever suffer from the literary equivalent of blue balls.

So you know, even if Sanderson grips a little too hard and my orgasm feels a little forced, at least, by the Light, it will be done.

Besides, I about popped at Dumai's Wells, and when Rand cleansed Saidin, and then later when the Aes Sedai finally, grudgingly accept, and then learn to respect men who can Channel as Warders.

Na, she had her hair chopped off in one of the last two books, so now she just wants to tug on the braid all the time.

redmond24: I was going to start the series when I finished ASOIAF until I heard the original author died and another is picking up the pieces.I don't feel like I'd be reading true canon if I picked the series up. GRRM says all the time he knows what happens in the end, but not how it happens. I can't imagine we'd be getting the same product Jordan would deliver.I could be wrong though. If I were reading it since the 90s then I'd get it just for some amount of closure. But I don't think I'll pick it up unless the reviews are really, really good.

Robert Jordan knew his time was nearly up and prepared for it by leaving copious notes. Plus the new author is very good in his own right; the last two books that were penned by Brandon Sanderson have been an improvement over the last few RJ penned books. A big improvement.

I should have my copy tomorrow when I get home. Finally get this series completed and move on.

Sanderson needs to crank out the next Stormlight Archive book soon, The Way of Kings was excellent, had one of the most awesome and surprising endings, and looking forward to finding out more about his entire metaverse as the links are starting to be even clearer.

Boojum2k:Sanderson needs to crank out the next Stormlight Archive book soon, The Way of Kings was excellent, had one of the most awesome and surprising endings, and looking forward to finding out more about his entire metaverse as the links are starting to be even clearer.

THIS!!

My wife might cause a riot if there is no follow up to Alloy of Law soon though. I love his ability to not only create new magic systems, but put enough thought into them that they become entirely believable within the context of the novel.

haws83:Boojum2k: Sanderson needs to crank out the next Stormlight Archive book soon, The Way of Kings was excellent, had one of the most awesome and surprising endings, and looking forward to finding out more about his entire metaverse as the links are starting to be even clearer.

THIS!!

My wife might cause a riot if there is no follow up to Alloy of Law soon though. I love his ability to not only create new magic systems, but put enough thought into them that they become entirely believable within the context of the novel.

And let's see...it'll turn out that since unraveling a weave both (a) removes traces that it existed and (b) seems to interfere with future weaving in that area, we'll end up with an ending that involves removing the seals to "clear the way", then unraveling the original weave the formed the Bore. This has the impact of launching the next Age in which we know no magic exists, and explains why the Bore doesn't exist or appear to have existed when it's formed anew on the next spin of the Wheel.

Started reading the series in 9th grade, about 13 years ago. Since then, I read the entire series (at least, what's available) about once a year. On the whole it's damn good, even if there are some serious bad spots that are like a chore to get through.

erewhon:And let's see...it'll turn out that since unraveling a weave both (a) removes traces that it existed and (b) seems to interfere with future weaving in that area, we'll end up with an ending that involves removing the seals to "clear the way", then unraveling the original weave the formed the Bore. This has the impact of launching the next Age in which we know no magic exists, and explains why the Bore doesn't exist or appear to have existed when it's formed anew on the next spin of the Wheel.

/quit after book six when he abandoned all semblance of a plot that moved or story momentum, as cheesy as it was, to return to the beginning pace-wise.//i sent him an incredibly insulting and scornful letter. a month later he died.///i thought about feeling bad, but i realized that, being a horrible person, the letter i wrote might have been the last one he read before he passed on, and that thought warmed my heart.

I stopped with the series when the story got insufferably dull and stuck in quicksand and I only really wanted to follow one plot line and that one became the author's domination/spank fantasy. Really don't like how he treated his women.

erewhon:And let's see...it'll turn out that since unraveling a weave both (a) removes traces that it existed and (b) seems to interfere with future weaving in that area, we'll end up with an ending that involves removing the seals to "clear the way", then unraveling the original weave the formed the Bore. This has the impact of launching the next Age in which we know no magic exists, and explains why the Bore doesn't exist or appear to have existed when it's formed anew on the next spin of the Wheel.

Citation needed on the next Age being Power-free. I vaguely remember seeing an outline of the seven Ages somewhere over the years where the 7th age ends with no Power and the 1st Age being one of ignorance. I always took Thom's references to our times in the first book (Lenn and Eagle of Fire, Mosk and Merk, Materese the healer of Ind) as being the first age. Age of Legends being the second, and Third Age being the current timeframe of the books.

Not to mention, Aviendha's vision of the future referenced her kids being able to channel from early childhood instead of just around puberty.

Some of the stuff in these books really point to the series being a kinky sexual fantasy outlet for RJ. Examples include women controlling other women via a collar and chain, overt lesbianism in school (pillow friends in the Tower, especially with Novices/Apprentices), an arch enemy that kills people by overloading them with feelings of sexual pleasure, a main character that openly declares his love for three women at the same time AND THEY'RE ALL COOL WITH IT.

had98c:Some of the stuff in these books really point to the series being a kinky sexual fantasy outlet for RJ. Examples include women controlling other women via a collar and chain, overt lesbianism in school (pillow friends in the Tower, especially with Novices/Apprentices), an arch enemy that kills people by overloading them with feelings of sexual pleasure, a main character that openly declares his love for three women at the same time AND THEY'RE ALL COOL WITH IT.

Besides all that nonsense, it's a pretty good story overall.

The polygamy aspect really makes you understand why they got a Mormon to finish the series.

Of course, I'm going to finish reading AMoL by tomorrow afternoon, so I will then be hungering for my next fix. Hurry up with the next Honor books Weber!/My relax-and-enjoy reading speed is about a page every six seconds.

Kome:Started reading the series in 9th grade, about 13 years ago. Since then, I read the entire series (at least, what's available) about once a year. On the whole it's damn good, even if there are some serious bad spots that are like a chore to get through.

Yeah. Me too. At this point I literally just know exactly what chapters can be skipped and just skip em, heh. I skip most of Tanchico. I skip everything Perrin related from Faile being kidnapped by the Shaido, until the battle where he rescues her. I find the stuff that's just Whitecloak intrigue with Morgase pretty pointless and boring too. Though the culmination of that, with Galad and the remains of the Whitecloaks going to join Rand and help in the last battle is pretty awesome.

Not to mention, Aviendha's vision of the future referenced her kids being able to channel from early childhood instead of just around puberty.

Well, you know when she unraveled the gateway near the farm everyone complained about the Power not working right for the rest of the novel.

Since the Bore is a really high powered weave, and it's *sort* of a gateway, and there's no trace of it on the next spin, I'm guessing it's also the way he'll explain a distinct lack of magic during our age.

ModernLuddite:This is why my wife and I have instituted the "don't start reading a series until it's over" rule.

//I want to read "A Game of Thrones" so bad.///BUT NO.

Started reading A Game of Thrones last month, and I have to say, the whole Song of Ice and Fire series is intimidating.

I have this habit when I'm reading fantasy books, that I have to take my time to get everything, so it'll take me a while to finish the book. This doesn't happen in, say The Dresden Files, or the Iron Druid series, but it did happen when I started the Lord of the Rings series, or The Hobbit.

LockeOak:I stopped reading this series somewhere in book 6 or so when I realized I could open any of the previous books to any random point and I probably wouldn't know what was going on or who half the characters were.

I got past that by rereading all the previous books every time a new one came out. Even with the release schedule Jordan had, I never got close to the next one before finishing. I haven't read any past... Knife of Dreams? I think that was the last one at least. That's where it started getting better. It was dragging a bit there around book 9. I remember there were something like three chapters devoted to a two hour ride on horseback.

neongoats:Kome: Started reading the series in 9th grade, about 13 years ago. Since then, I read the entire series (at least, what's available) about once a year. On the whole it's damn good, even if there are some serious bad spots that are like a chore to get through.

Yeah. Me too. At this point I literally just know exactly what chapters can be skipped and just skip em, heh. I skip most of Tanchico. I skip everything Perrin related from Faile being kidnapped by the Shaido, until the battle where he rescues her. I find the stuff that's just Whitecloak intrigue with Morgase pretty pointless and boring too. Though the culmination of that, with Galad and the remains of the Whitecloaks going to join Rand and help in the last battle is pretty awesome.

Those are really the big two.

I can't skip Tanchico cause Moghedien is my favorite character. I'm probably the only person that has her as a favorite but there it is.

Not to mention, Aviendha's vision of the future referenced her kids being able to channel from early childhood instead of just around puberty.

Well, you know when she unraveled the gateway near the farm everyone complained about the Power not working right for the rest of the novel.

Since the Bore is a really high powered weave, and it's *sort* of a gateway, and there's no trace of it on the next spin, I'm guessing it's also the way he'll explain a distinct lack of magic during our age.

The power not working right was because of the use of the Bowl, not Aviendha unraveling her gateway, and the Bore's not a weave, it's the lack of weaves, it's a hole in the pattern. Undoing it's going to require weaving over it to restore the pattern, or someone really powerfully balefiring Lanfear.